Vivek Oberoi dedicates his birthday to a cause every year, and this year it was no different. The actor-philanthropist, who turned 39 today, announced a sanitation initiative under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
The initiative is in association with global non-profit organisation Habitat For Humanity and his One Foundation. As many as one lakh toilets will be built across the country, said the Company star.
“It’s been 12 to 13 years ... I decided to celebrate my birthday in a way that makes an impact and touches peoples’ lives. I always celebrate it every year with children who are fighting cancer. We will be throwing a party for them once I return to Mumbai,” Oberoi said.
“This [sanitation] is an important cause too. We wanted to do this impactful project where we make one lakh toilets across India.”
The actor said that because many women are embarrassed to go out in the open to defecate, “they are forced to hold on to their systems until night. This ends up spoiling their health”.
He also shared a study which showed that a lot of girls drop out from schools due to the same problem.
“When girls turn 12 or 13, their body starts to change and they become conscious to go behind the bush. Boys in school tease them as they are curious at that time. So, a lot of girls stop going to school. That was very upsetting to hear,” said the Grand Masti actor, while adding that he wants to help build toilets in as many places as possible and has already received a positive response from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Karnataka.
“A lot of people reached out and said they want to do this with me.”
Starting off on a philanthropic note, Oberoi ended the day with a “romantic dinner” with his wife.
“My wife surprised me by flying in. Before I turn 40, I want to ensure that I do something really special for my daughter and for my son. On professional level, I definitely want to start my own production house and make a difference in terms of all the good work that we are doing,” Oberoi said.
He will be next seen in Yash Raj Films’s Bank Chor and Great Grand Masti.
